WDRWS Request for a Future Use Permit Made Progress in Pierre on Wednesday
(December 5, 2024) A Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) request for a Future Use Permit made progress in Pierre on Wednesday, December 4. The South Dakota Water Management Board determined the WDRWS application for a Future Use Permit for 20,765 acre-feet per year (af/yr) of water from the Missouri River will go to the South Dakota Legislature for consideration.
A Future Use Permit is a critical tool for ensuring that water resources are available for long-term water development in South Dakota. The permit allows entities such as WDRWS to secure water rights for future needs, preventing shortages that could hinder growth and infrastructure development. Recent findings from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) underscore the need for WDRWS to secure a Future Use Permit in a timely manner to ensure a stable water supply for both current and future generations of West River residents.
“We are grateful for the work of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the Water Management Board for moving the Western Dakota Regional Water System’s Future Use Permit request forward,” says Jake Fitzgerald, WDRWS Board President. “This is an important step forward for the project that aims to deliver water from the Missouri River to drought prone water systems and cities in western South Dakota.”
Future Use Permits greater than 10,000 af/yr require legislative approval. The application for the permit must demonstrate clear and reasonable expectations of water need within a specific timeframe. The WDRWS engineering team developed preliminary water demand projections through the year 2080 and determined 20,765 af/yr is needed.
The permits are carefully aligned with the state’s water management policies to balance future demands with current supply. Applications first undergo a technical review by the DANR before public notices are sent to newspapers of record. Then the application is presented to the Water Management Board to make a recommendation to the legislature. Both of those steps have been completed successfully. Next, the application goes to the State Legislature early next year to vote on the water appropriation request. If the request receives legislative approval, the Water Management Board will be responsible for final approval and issuing the Future Use Permit.
“Obtaining a Future Use Permit is essential for meeting long-term water demands across western South Dakota,” says Dr. Cheryl Chapman, WDRWS Executive Director. “The permitting process plays a pivotal role in securing a sustainable water supply for the state’s long-term needs. The support of the legislature and Water Management Board will be crucial to making this vision a reality.”
